Hibiscus plant named `Desert Wind`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named `Desert Wind`, characterized by its very dark green leaves; upright and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habit that is appropriate for container production; floriferousness with numerous light orange-colored flowers with red throats; large and flat flowers; good resistance to flower bud abscission; and excellent postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofHibiscus, botanically known as Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Desert Wind`.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted bythe inventor in Alva, Fla. The objective of the breeding program is tocreate new Hibiscus cultivars having uniform and compact plant habitsappropriate for container production, early and uniform flowering,numerous flowers per lateral branch, desirable flower color, resistanceto flower bud abscission, and good postproduction longevity.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventor in Alva,Fla., of the proprietary Hibiscus rosa-sinensis selection, designated ascode number 399, as the female, or seed, parent with the Hibiscusrosa-sinensis cultivar `Pink Versicolor` (not patented) as the male, orpollen, parent. The cultivar `Desert Wind` was discovered and selectedby the inventor as a flowering plant within the progeny of the statedcross in a controlled environment in Alva, Fla., on Jul. 11, 1994.

Compared to plants of the female parent, the proprietary Hibiscusselection code number 399, plants of the new Hisbiscus are morespreading, have leaves that are not lobed, have better buddinguniformity, and have larger flowers. Plants of the new Hibiscus differin flower color and have narrower petals and flower about one week laterthan plants of the male parent, the cultivar `Pink Versicolor`.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in acontrolled environment in Alva, Fla., has shown that the unique featuresof this new Hibiscus are stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations.

The cultivar `Desert Wind` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,nutrition and water status without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Desert Wind`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Desert Wind` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Very dark green shiny leaves.

2. Upright and outwardly spreading, uniform and symmetrical plant habitthat is appropriate for container production.

3. Freely flowering, numerous light orange-colored flowers with redthroats. Flowers very large and flat.

4. Good resistance to flower bud abscission.

5. Excellent postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Hibiscus can be compared to plants of the nonpatentedcultivar `Euterpe`. However, in side-by-side comparisons conducted inAlva, Fla., plants of the new cultivar differ from plants of thecultivar `Euterpe` in the following characteristics:

1. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more compact and more outwardlyspreading than plants of the cultivar `Euterpe`.

2. Leaves of plants of the new Hibiscus are not lobed whereas leaves ofplants of the cultivar `Euterpe` are lobed.

3. Plants of the new Hibiscus are more floriferous than plants of thecultivar `Euterpe`.

4. Plants of the new Hibiscus have better budding uniformity than plantsof the cultivar `Euterpe`.

5. Plants of the new Hibiscus are much more resistant to flower budabscission than plants of the cultivar `Euterpe`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph at the top of the sheet comprises a top perspective viewof typical plant of `Desert Wind`.

The photograph at the bottom of the sheet comprises a close-up view of atypical flower of `Desert Wind`. Flower and foliage colors in thephotographs may appear different from the actual colors due to lightreflectance.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and values describe plantsgrown in Alva, Fla., and Keller, Tex., in 28-cm containers during thesummer and early autumn with day temperatures ranging from 16 to 35° C.and night temperatures ranging from 10 to 24° C. In the description,color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance areused.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar `Desert Wind`.

Parentage:

Female or seed parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis proprietary selectiondesignated as code number 399.

Male or pollen parent.--Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cultivar `PinkVersicolor`, not patented.

Propagation:

Type.--By terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--About 10 days at temperatures of 24° C.

Times to develop roots.--About 28 days at temperature of 24° C.

Rooting habit.--Moderately vigorous, thick and well-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form and growth habit.--Perennial, evergreen, upright andoutwardly spreading, inverted triangle, uniform and symmetrical planthabit. Moderate vigor.

Branching habit.--Freely branching, usually about six lateral branchesdevelop after removal of terminal apex.

Plant height, soil level to top of flowers.--About 43 cm.

Plant diameter, area of spread.--About 50 cm.

Lateral branch description.--Length: About 38 cm. Diameter: About 8 mm.Texture: Immature, smooth; woody with age.

Color.--Immature: 144A/146A. Mature: Dark brown.

Foliage description:

Arrangement.--Alternate, single.

Length.--About 9.5 cm.

Width.--About 7 cm.

Shape.--Ovate.

Apex.--Acute to acuminate.

Base.--Obtuse.

Margin.--Entire to crenate.

Aspect.--Undulate.

Texture.--Glabrous and very shiny on both surfaces.

Color.--Young foliage, upper surface: Brighter and darker than 146A.Young foliage, lower surface: Greener than 146A. Mature foliage, uppersurface: Very dark green, much darker than 147A. Mature foliage, lowersurface: Darker than 147B.

Petiole.--Length: About 3.75 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. Texture: Smoothor with very fine pubescence on upper surface. Color: Upper, 147A;lower, 146A.

Flower description:

Natural flowering season.--Usually spring and summer or during periodsof warm weather.

Flower arrangement.--Flowers arranged singly at terminal leaf axils.Freely flowering with usually about five flower buds and/or open flowersper terminal apex. Flowers face upright.

Flower appearance.--Very large and flat star-shaped single flowers.Light orange-colored petals with red throat. Flowers are open for aboutone day before closing. Flowers persistent.

Flower diameter.--About 14.5 cm.

Flower bud (just before showing color).--Rate of opening: About one daydepending on temperatures. Length: About 2.4 cm. Diameter: About 1 cm.Shape: Columnar, oblong.

Petals.--Texture: Crepe, smooth. Arrangement: Corolla consists of fivepetals that overlap. Shape: Spatulate with rounded apex. Margin: Entire,slightly ruffled. Length: About 9 cm. Width: About 7 cm. Color: Opening:23A. Upper surface: Close to 26A/26B. Lower surface: 37A/37B to close to29A/29B; veins, pinkish. Yellowish orange at right edges of petals.Throat: Red, shiny, 45A/46A.

Sepals.--Appearance: Six sepals fused into a star-shaped calyx. Shape:Linear. Texture: Smooth. Color, outer surface: 146A.

Peduncles.--Length: About 5 cm. Diameter: About 3.5 mm at apex. Angle:Upright. Strength: Strong, rigid. Color: 146A.

Reproductive organs.--Androecium: Stamen number: Numerous. Stamenlength: About 7.5 mm. Anther shape: Globular. Anther size: About 1 mm.Amount of pollen: Abundant. Pollen color: 21A. Gynoecium: Pistil length:About 9 cm. Style color: Apex: White. Base: 46A to 47A. Stigma number:Five. Stigma shape: Round. Stigma diameter: Large, about 4 mm. Stigmacolor: Golden orange, 23A. Ovary color: Light green, 154A/154B.

Disease resistance: No known Hibiscus diseases observed to date onplants grown under commercial greenhouse conditions.

Seed production: If cross-pollinated, seed production may be observed.Usually one to twenty seeds per capsule.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Hibiscus plant named `Desert Wind`, as illustrated 